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[Pre-4e] How do You Handle Special Materials?
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<blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 4996980" data-attributes="member: 19675"><p>As was suggested upthread, just because something is available in game, doesn't mean its available where the PCs are...just like in the RW.</p><p></p><p>I design jewelry as a hobby. As such, I deal with gold, silver and exotic metals and stones. They aren't universally available because some are exceedingly rare. Some require special tools: you actually need completely distinct tools to work with certain metals, and others may require kilns that can hit extremely high temperatures.</p><p></p><p>Others require certain chemicals to work with, or (with something like mokume gane) a skillset that most jewelers don't have...or don't care to use very often because its a pain in the butt. Consider- why aren't all Japanese swords made to the same standards as Katanas?</p><p></p><p>Translating that concept into special materials...by their very nature, finished items that use them will be scarce.</p><p></p><p>Perhaps only 1 in 1000 smiths may have the skills & tools to work adamant... The nearest smith with the skills & tools lives 300 miles from where the PCs are. AND he's under exclusive contract to work for the Dauphin.</p><p></p><p>Perhaps mithril just simply isn't available in the area due to its rarity.</p><p></p><p>Perhaps there is an embargo on the material due to political reasons. Or the mine ran out. Or the dwarves aren't selling.</p><p></p><p>Or maybe the creatures that are most negatively affected by the material in question are actively seeking it out to hide/destroy it- there's a plot line in there!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dannyalcatraz, post: 4996980, member: 19675"] As was suggested upthread, just because something is available in game, doesn't mean its available where the PCs are...just like in the RW. I design jewelry as a hobby. As such, I deal with gold, silver and exotic metals and stones. They aren't universally available because some are exceedingly rare. Some require special tools: you actually need completely distinct tools to work with certain metals, and others may require kilns that can hit extremely high temperatures. Others require certain chemicals to work with, or (with something like mokume gane) a skillset that most jewelers don't have...or don't care to use very often because its a pain in the butt. Consider- why aren't all Japanese swords made to the same standards as Katanas? Translating that concept into special materials...by their very nature, finished items that use them will be scarce. Perhaps only 1 in 1000 smiths may have the skills & tools to work adamant... The nearest smith with the skills & tools lives 300 miles from where the PCs are. AND he's under exclusive contract to work for the Dauphin. Perhaps mithril just simply isn't available in the area due to its rarity. Perhaps there is an embargo on the material due to political reasons. Or the mine ran out. Or the dwarves aren't selling. Or maybe the creatures that are most negatively affected by the material in question are actively seeking it out to hide/destroy it- there's a plot line in there! [/QUOTE]
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[Pre-4e] How do You Handle Special Materials?
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